Gallery: 2017 International Island Classic – Saturday Wrap

McWilliams sets down an impressive performance for races 1 & 2 of the International Challenge at the 2017 Island Classic, with the UK leading into Sunday by 24 points. Images: Kris & David Hodgson

Saturday of the 2017 International Island Classic has seen the great weather continue as the UK’s defense of the title continued with Jeremy McWilliams taking strong wins in both International Challenges of the day.

2017 International Island Classic – Jeremy McWilliams pulls an enormous early lead in Race 2

Competition started in ernest as all categories saw races on Saturday, with all races except the International Challenge being counted towards the Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy.

2017 International Island Classic – Beau Beaton

Australia’s day got off to a bad start when Cameron Donald (Irving Vincent) was a scratching because of mechanical problems, while his teammate Beau Beaton – a two-time race winner in the 2016 International Challenge – fared little better when he only lasted a few laps in race one and then didn’t start the second

In fact, Australia only had six finishers in race two after the aforementioned Irving Vincents didn’t make the grid and the retirement of John Allen (Yamaha TZ750).

2017 International Island Classic – Shawn Giles

In the first race McWilliams won by almost two-seconds from second placed Shawn Giles on his TBR/D&D Katana, while Peter Hickman and Conor Cummins helped ensure three of the top five positions went to the UK. In fifth was Jed Metcher, while Chas Hern, similarly mounted on a Honda Harris F1 1100, rounded out the top six.

2017 International Island Classic – Jeremy McWilliams

The International Challenge race was also proceeded by the Britten doing a parade lap, with the bike drawing huge attention in the pits prior to heading out.

In Race 2 McWilliams would offer a repeat performance, pulling a strong lead that he would extend to over three-seconds, with Peter Hickman improving on his Race 1 result to take second, while Aussies Jed Metcher, Alex Phillis and Shawn Giles rounded out the top five, with Chas Hern taking sixth.

2017 International Island Classic – Jeremy McWilliams on the grid for the International Challenge

The standings at this point see Australia in second place, a mere 24-points behind defending champions the UK, although the strong effort from the UK team ensures that competition tomorrow will be fierce if they intend to take back the International Challenge trophy.